617 no lock

[Usmc5811]

Hi all I am waiting to see into a 617 no lock with ten shot stainless cylinder with box and docs and rubber grips. Would this be -3 with a 6" barrel. And what do they run with box and docs and revolver is in near mint. Also comes with a 1-6 Simmons scope also along with the original rear sight. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[jack the toad]

the pre-lock 617 10-shot SS cylinders came on the -4.
the -2 had the same but cylinder was alloy.
the no dash, -1, -3 were 6 holers unless you get into the very limited no dash and -1's that had the 4" no-lug barrel and 10 shot alloy cylinder.
ETA:
price for the 10 shot SS pre-lock--- high.
IMO, the 6" typically costs less than the 4".

 

[5Wire]

I had this dash two and it had a stainless cylinder, noticeably attracted a magnet. S&Ws vary, I guess. The 10-shot aluminum cylinder models command a 10% premium in the BBGV.

 

[one eye joe]

5Wire, WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE THE ALLOY CYLINDERS COMMAND A PREMIUM IN THE BBGV ? ? ? MOST OF WHAT I'VE READ ON THIS FORUM, AND ELSEWHERE LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN AVERSION TO THEM. PERSONALLY, I WOULD SHY AWAY FROM THE ALLOY CYLINDER, IF MERELY FOR POSSIBLE COSMETIC REASONS AS THE GUN AGES. I WOULD NOT LIKE A TWO TONE GUN, OR A PEELING FINISH ON THE CYLINDER LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE M642s…..

 

[5Wire]

The aversion was, apparently, cosmetic and not functional. There are a number of forum members who have posted to that effect.

Reintroduced in October of 1997 with an all-stainless steel 10-shot cylinder due to poor sales with the alloy cylinder.

Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2006-12-20). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 238). F+W Media, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

 

[one eye joe]

the pre-lock 617 10-shot SS cylinders came on the -4.
the -2 had the same but cylinder was alloy.
the no dash, -1, -3 were 6 holers unless you get into the very limited no dash and -1's that had the 4" no-lug barrel and 10 shot alloy cylinder.
ETA:
price for the 10 shot SS pre-lock--- high.
IMO, the 6" typically costs less than the 4".

A VERY INFORMATIVE POST, jack the toad. THANKS FOR SHARING. I AGREE THAT THE 4" 617s APPEAR TO BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE. I LOOKED FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS FOR A 4" M617-4, 10 SHOT. I FINALLY GAVE UP AND BOUGHT A CURRENT PRODUCTION MODEL WITH THE IL…..

 

[jack the toad]

I had this dash two and it had a stainless cylinder, noticeably attracted a magnet. S&Ws vary, I guess.

S&W's do vary and anything is possible IMO. The few -2's I've seen with SS cylinder had reportedly been replaced by the factory at owner's request but initially sold with alloy.

 

[murphydog]

The original photo is small, but the 617 in question has the rounded front sight leaf (at earliest a -4) and what appears to be the K rear frame contour of an IL model; I would not be surprised to learn it is a -6.

 

[jack the toad]

I AGREE THAT THE 4" 617s APPEAR TO BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE. I LOOKED FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS FOR A 4" M617-4, 10 SHOT. I FINALLY GAVE UP AND BOUGHT A CURRENT PRODUCTION MODEL WITH THE IL…..

+1
I know 2 guys that are still looking for 4" 617-4 shooters. One found a 6" but still wants a 4". IIRC, the last time I saw a -4 on GB, the opening or buy it now price was north of $1400 for LNIB.

 

[Usmc5811]

The gentleman says it is a no-lock but I don't have any other pics. I am waiting to hear from him. I don't need another 6" 617, but if the price is right I would buy it. As for the -2's I have one that is an excellent shooter and it's had quite a few rounds down range with no problems.

 

[bigggbbruce]

The original photo is small, but the 617 in question has the rounded front sight leaf (at earliest a -4) and what appears to be the K rear frame contour of an IL model; I would not be surprised to learn it is a -6.

The gentleman says it is a no-lock but I don't have any other pics. I am waiting to hear from him.

It's wearing new style grips.. looks like a -6 from your picture.

 

[Usmc5811]

Guess I will never know, the gentleman sold it already for $560. You snooze you loose. Thank you all for the info though.

 

[NYresQ]

I have a -2 with a stainless cylinder. I bought it from the original owner. When he bought it new, it already had a stainless cylinder. A call to S&W confirmed it was never sent back to the factory. They did say some -2 came with stainless cylinders, but they didnt have a record of exact serial numbers when the switch was made.

 

[NYresQ]

And mine has a 6" barrel...
The alloy cylinders can be pretty easy to spot as the color is not even close to the same as the frame, more of a soft gray almost matte painted look vs the stainless brushed frame.

 

[John R]

What problems did they have with the alloy cylinders?